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I was a union apprentice for my first job. And I screwed myself and took a job making more money at a residential shop I quicly learned that the grass was not greener. I figured it out when I went to get insurance for my wife and newborn son and found out it would cost me 225 a week. I tried desperately to get back to my old job and could not. I also learned that u was not going to get any training and that I hated residential. Since that day i jave been trying to learn myself by asking advice from guys on the net going yo classes and since a few days ago read books for 4 hours a night that came from a kick in the ass from people on this site. If all someone wants is free time than I would say this is a bad trade to be in cuse I know thats one thing I don't have. If you want a job with unlimited growth opertunity than this is the trade to be in. Oh and since i have left the guys that stayed union as an apprentice now make more than me with better bennys and more knowledge and they work on the type of equipment that I would like too. Sometimes when we are young we make mistakes and spend a lifetime making up for them. I am considering now taking a pay cut to become an apprenticr again.

Wow, I definitely didn't have the attitude starting out that the OP has.

I started out in the Union in 1990 and never looked back. I bought my first house when I was 20 years old while I was still an apprentice. I worked hard because I wanted to learn everything I could.

I never really worked crazy hours though. Most weeks were 40 hours, except for weeks I was "on call", then I would get 20-30 hrs overtime.

Now that I have been in the trade for 22 years, I work a regular 40 hour week, with occasional overtime maybe once a month. I'm 40 years old now, so I don't mind it. I'd rather spend the time with my twin boys anyway.

So for you young guys new to the trade, don't think you'll be working 80 hrs a week until you retire or drop dead.

I want to clarify my previous post. I love this trade and love the challenges of it I just get upset with myself when I think of my wasted opertunity. Just didn't want to come across as a jerk as I said my anger was with myself

I want to clarify my previous post. I love this trade and love the challenges of it I just get upset with myself when I think of my wasted opertunity. Just didn't want to come across as a jerk as I said my anger was with myself

No need to clarify, I understood your post perfectly.

I got a second (and better) chance and got back into the union after years of working non union both residential and commercial.

I know guys that are begging to get into the union, heck I know guys just begging for work, so it's a little insulting to have some kid start asking about how he can skip out after eight to get high and play video games

I love how you continue to judge me. So what, i like video games? Are you from the 1960's..? I like to get high.. atleast i dont get drunk. And what do you know about my work ethic?

Also, i never said i wanted to skip out. If work needs to be done i will see it through. I'm asking if its normal to be granted a few months or more even, of 40hrs per week. I dont want to be a ****ing drone with no time to butter my wife up and no time to relax/do things around the house/go out.

I worked for a warehouse taking all the pallets/garbage off of trailers.. I worked 10 hrs and that seemed fine. I had enough time to do what i wanted when i got home. Now, working for HVAC, you also work 10hrs, but you also have to factor in your drive to work and home. I'm sorry i dont meet your standards.. >>The era of judgment, as stated in the bible<<. You do you, and i will do me.

I love how you continue to judge me. So what, i like video games? Are you from the 1960's..? I like to get high.. atleast i dont get drunk. And what do you know about my work ethic?

Also, i never said i wanted to skip out. If work needs to be done i will see it through. I'm asking if its normal to be granted a few months or more even, of 40hrs per week. I dont want to be a ****ing drone with no time to butter my wife up and no time to relax/do things around the house/go out.

I worked for a warehouse taking all the pallets/garbage off of trailers.. I worked 10 hrs and that seemed fine. I had enough time to do what i wanted when i got home. Now, working for HVAC, you also work 10hrs, but you also have to factor in your drive to work and home. I'm sorry i dont meet your standards.. >>The era of judgment, as stated in the bible<<. You do you, and i will do me.

I love how you continue to judge me. So what, i like video games? Are you from the 1960's..? I like to get high.. atleast i dont get drunk. And what do you know about my work ethic?

Also, i never said i wanted to skip out. If work needs to be done i will see it through. I'm asking if its normal to be granted a few months or more even, of 40hrs per week. I dont want to be a ****ing drone with no time to butter my wife up and no time to relax/do things around the house/go out.

I worked for a warehouse taking all the pallets/garbage off of trailers.. I worked 10 hrs and that seemed fine. I had enough time to do what i wanted when i got home. Now, working for HVAC, you also work 10hrs, but you also have to factor in your drive to work and home. I'm sorry i dont meet your standards.. >>The era of judgment, as stated in the bible<<. You do you, and i will do me.

"I like to get high" You don't need to tell us your work ethic. Not sure what you mean by "The era of judgment, as stated in the Bible" maybe you could explain??